“Football, please,” Talib said with an elegant shake of his head. “Americans are the only ones who call it soccer and, sweetheart, really look at that thing.”
Piper frowned. “So what if it’s not real. Money isn’t everything.”
“These men have billions and they propose to my sister-in-law with such a paltry token?” Talib smoothed down his tuxedo coat. “I’ll talk to them about expectations.”
She couldn’t let that happen.
“They didn’t buy me anything. I bought it all for cheap, even the ring. I know it’s a fake. But I don’t think it’s that bad. I did good with the dress and shoes. I only paid two hundred pounds for the lot.” She lifted the hem of her gown to show off the gorgeous shoes that had been on clearance. “The engagement ring is to keep men from hitting on me. Okay? So back off, you lovable Neanderthals.”
Piper raised a brow. “I can’t believe you’re lying to the Thurston-Hughes brothers about a fiancé. I’ve seen the way they watch you. They’ll discover your ruse and they will not be happy.”
“At least one of them already has,” Rafe said. “Or they no longer care that she is ‘taken.’ Whoever bought you that dress is putting his brand on you.”
She wasn’t sure what he was talking about. “I told you, I bought the dress.”
Kade huffed. “Not for two hundred pounds. Are you certain you didn’t run up your credit cards? I didn’t think your line of credit would extend far enough to purchase all that. Why go into debt? Why refuse to use the accounts we offered you?”
Because they would come with so many strings, including that dedicated guard who would steal her privacy. “I swear I used my own money. I bought everything off the clearance racks at Harrods.”
Piper took her hand, and her sister had that look on her face that told Tori she was about to hear something she wouldn’t like. “Sweetie, that dress is a Versace.”
She’d been shocked at her good fortune. “I know. It was a steal.”
“It premiered two weeks ago. It’s from the fall line, straight off the runway. I bought another one from that collection for six thousand dollars in New York last week. That dress is limited edition. And the shoes are brand new Louboutins. That’s another grand. I couldn’t even begin to tell you how much the diamonds cost.”
“At least fifty thousand pounds,” Talib said. “With the earrings, perhaps seventy-five. Are they borrowed?”
Tori couldn’t breathe. They must be wrong. No way could she have afforded any of that, and she’d never heard of real diamonds being on clearance. Then what had happened? “But I have a receipt for everything.”
“I assure you whoever paid the rest of the bill has the proper receipt if he has a brain in his head,” Kade said.
Callum had arranged her appointment at the upscale store. Oh, what had he done?
Normally, Tori would think Rory far more capable of such a ruse, but this proved that she’d deeply underestimated the footballer.
Furiously, she scanned the ballroom and spotted Callum talking to Rory. He laughed at something his younger brother said, and she was taken aback again by how gorgeous they were. Though possessing similar statures, sandy hair, and strong jaws, Callum stood a bit taller than Rory. Then again, Callum was taller than almost everyone at the ball, and his brothers were no more than an inch or two behind. Callum was all lean muscle, his body honed from his years as an athlete. Rory obviously spent an enormous amount of time in the gym. The corporate lawyer wore his hair cropped short, as though he feared that if it grew too long, he would lose control.
Callum looked up suddenly. Their gazes met, fused. His smile nearly took her breath away.
“I know what it means when a man wears that look,” Rafe said. “We should take our little sister back to Bezakistan.”
“I concur. The footballer isn’t the only one staring.” Tal gestured to his left.
Oliver lingered by the entryway, his gaze steady on her. His lips curled up in a dangerous smile that made her think he fantasized about damp skin and breathless nights. Tori’s heart began to pound.
“I definitely think you should come with us.” Kade wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. “Tonight.”
Oliver’s stare zeroed in on the touch. His expression turned from seductive to deadly in a heartbeat.
She pulled away from her brother-in-law. “I’m staying here.”
“Talib, she’s my sister.” Piper stepped in. “And it’s her life. I chose to marry the three of you without interference. Well, I chose not to kill you after I found out you’d tricked me into becoming your bride.”
“That is not true, habibti.” Tal pulled her close. “There were no tricks. We were madly in love from the very beginning.”
Piper scoffed. “That’s not exactly true.”
“I say otherwise.”
“Then you’re rewriting history to suit your purposes.” She rolled her eyes.
Tal shrugged with a mischievous grin. “I am a sheikh.”
“You’re also an overbearing jackass at times,” Piper teased, then softened. “My sister wants to stay.”
“I have a job,” Tori added. “Responsibilities.”
With a reluctant sigh, Tal caved. “I will relent in this. Brothers, back off. Allow Tori to handle these men until such time that she cannot.”